MeditationConcentration & Absorption - Dharana & Dhyana

Meditation, known in Sanskrit as Dhyana, has a slightly different meaning than the current modern usage. The two are very closely related but with a very important distinction. Commonly today people use the word meditation to mean internalized concentration exercises. Something extraordinary can happen as a result of sustained practiced of internalized concentration and that is the falling away of all effort and even awareness of other forms and conditions. Meditation is actually when there is only you and the object of concentration, and not even the awareness of intending to concentrate on it. You are just simply present with that form. Sometimes the form you will be present with will be the concentration technique or object of concentration itself. Other times it will be the state or the quality awareness you experience as a result of that technique.

Below is a list of concentration techniques that can create the space for meditation to happen.

​Classic Meditations from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

The Yoga Sutra's is a concise teaching on the pure science of Yoga in reference to how we still the fluctuations of the mind. Patanjali lays out the most direct means of accomplishing this as follows.

Extended Exhalations & Retentions Out​Sutra 1.34

Practicing extending the exhales and holding the breath calms the nervous system and gives control over the instincts. We can remain more relaxed in this way and more observant over our inner world. As the practice develops the mind naturally becomes still. When the breath is stilled intentionally with awareness and relaxation, the mind stills.

Inner LightSutra 1.36

Focus at the center of the body. Imagine a seed of pure, limitlessly bright light at your heart. Imagine this light dissolves all suffering and releases all attachments. Imagine it connects you to the infinity of light in all the cosmos. Focus on the inner light. Let it shine through your being.

Surrender to the SupremeSutra 1.24

Wisdom is realizing the nature of the ego, namely that it is limited, illusory, and causes our attachments and aversions which thus cause our suffering. There still however remains the mystery of then "Who, or what am I?" and still further, "What is the nature of this creation?" It can be observed that there is order and intelligence in the creation and by trusting it we can surrender our ego and live without self-created limitations of identity. We are what this whole universe is doing at this point in time. Claim nothing for yourself. Give everything of yourself. Let your life be a manifestation of the divine infinte being.

​Kundalini Yoga Meditations

Sa Ta Na Ma

This meditation combines mantra and mudra in a simple and powerful way to balance energy and move consciously on a subtle level through the cycles of existence to the infinite. It can be practiced with this touching accompanying music or by yourself silently. Say each sound while lightly pressing the thumb to the tip of each finger. Start out loud, than as a whisper, then internally.

​Sat Narayan

This meditation combines fluid arm movements with mantra. Many beautiful gestures can be experienced through the movements. Bringing water to the face, stimulating the pineal gland by looking through the hands forming a triangle, cleansing of the brain hemispheres with sweeping movements, and embracing and merging duality at ones' own heart.

Follow the movements along with the video. You can practice this alone or with the mantra for more participation and focus.

More Meditations

Meditation with Crystals

A simple and very effective meditation can be to focus on a physical object such as a crystal placed in the hands. One method would be to focus on the tactile experience of holding it such as it's weight, texture, and temperature. Another could be combining this with focusing on related qualities and virtues. Through their various structures, crystals resonate with our energy systems and can bring certain qualities into the forefront of your experience for greater embodyment.

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​SAJEEVA YOGA TRULY ALIVE​THROUGH YOGA

Sajeeva Yoga is a dedicated school and discipline of yogic lifestyle science. The exercises are the exercises of human life and it's functions, the purification of the mind to discover the peace within the breath, reformed adaptability of the body, pureness of consciousness, and the development of wisdom for life in the individual and the society. Concepts of non-harming and self-education lead to the harmonization of life experiences.